Public Transit News

New phone service and website for area transportation needs

The
Linn County Transportation Advisory Group announced the launch of two new
services to help people meet their transportation needs. A telephone service,
365-RIDE, and a companion website, 365ride.org, will provide easy access to
information about transportation providers in the area and also work with
residents to find solutions to their transportation challenges.

The
phone service, 365-RIDE (365-7433), will initially be available from 8 am – 4
pm, Monday – Friday. Callers will be able to ask questions related to local
public transit providers, private transportation companies and ways to best use
these services. Operators will also work with callers to look for solutions to
their unmet transportation needs; contacting local providers and working to
match needs with services. Staffing support for this phone service is provided
through Neighborhood Transportation Service (NTS).

“While
we can’t guarantee to find everyone a ride, we will work with our partners and
do the very best we can to help meet their needs,” said Terry Bergen, Mobility
Manager for the Transportation Advisory Group. “When someone calls in for
assistance, or answers to a question, it will also help us track what types of
needs are most prevalent in our communities. That will lead to improvement in
the system as we move forward.”

The
website, www.365ride.org, was created at
no charge to the group by local software development company Geonetric, as part
of their Operation Overnight project. It includes answers to frequently asked
questions, links to transportation provider websites, a form to request ride
assistance, and news related to the transit system. Additional features, like
“How-to” videos and the ability to volunteer or donate online, should be
available in the future.

“We
are extremely grateful to Geonetric. Their team was wonderful to work with and
we wouldn’t have been able to develop this valuable community resource without
their expertise and dedication,” said Bergen.